Emergency Preparedness

B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman speaks during an announcement at Burns Bog, in Delta, B.C., on Monday, June 29, 2020.The British Columbia government has released its new strategy to get the province ready to fight extreme weather. Heyman says the plan includes enhanced roles for the BC Wildfire Service to prepare and prevent fires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. urges preparedness and strategy to fight extreme climate events

Communities urged to take steps to minimize the potential damage

B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman speaks during an announcement at Burns Bog, in Delta, B.C., on Monday, June 29, 2020.The British Columbia government has released its new strategy to get the province ready to fight extreme weather. Heyman says the plan includes enhanced roles for the BC Wildfire Service to prepare and prevent fires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Bridge over Mission Creek at KLO and Spiers roads. (Photo/Jacqueline Gelineau)

Flooding in parts of Kelowna as Mission Creek rises

Parts of Mission Creek Greenway have been closed

Bridge over Mission Creek at KLO and Spiers roads. (Photo/Jacqueline Gelineau)
A wildfire burns in the mountains north of Lytton on July 1, 2021. According to a survey 2022 survey by BCAA, most British Columbians fear more extreme weather events. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

85% of British Columbians fear another extreme weather event, but few are prepared: survey

Almost half of survey respondents taking “wait-and-see” approach, BCAA found

A wildfire burns in the mountains north of Lytton on July 1, 2021. According to a survey 2022 survey by BCAA, most British Columbians fear more extreme weather events. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. launches heat alert system following 2021’s deadly heat dome

System to have 2 levels: warning and extreme heat emergencies

Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe released a report Tuesday (June 7) reviewing heat-related deaths in B.C. in summer 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Review into B.C.’s 2021 heat dome deaths finds 93% didn’t have air conditioning

Cooling requirements in new builds among recommendations by BC Coroners Service’s report

B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe released a report Tuesday (June 7) reviewing heat-related deaths in B.C. in summer 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is urging people to prepare ahead of time before potential disasters prompt evacuation orders. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Flood risk increases considerably in South Okanagan

‘Prepare now for spring freshet and potential flooding,’ a local public notice says

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is urging people to prepare ahead of time before potential disasters prompt evacuation orders. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
A small plane had to make an emergency landing Sunday, May 22, at the Vernon Regional Airport. (File photo)

Plane makes emergency landing Sunday at Vernon airport

Nobody injured after single-engine plane touches down without landing gear extended

A small plane had to make an emergency landing Sunday, May 22, at the Vernon Regional Airport. (File photo)
The City of Vernon continues its freshet season preparations, and encourages residents to do likewise. (Morning Star - file photo)

Vernon readies for freshet

Rainfall and seasonal temperatures has the city prepping for the annual spring freshet season

The City of Vernon continues its freshet season preparations, and encourages residents to do likewise. (Morning Star - file photo)
President and founder of Save A Dog Network, Katie Powell gets a kiss from a dog after bringing bags of dog food by canoe to stranded homes during flooding in Peguis First Nation, Man., Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Dozens of experts advising the government on the best way to adapt to the reality of climate change say we need to do more to prepare infrastructure for the threats of extreme weather and get faster to help Canadians recover when their lives and livelihoods are threatened by floods, fires and major storms.THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Resilient infrastructure, faster disaster recovery needed to adapt to climate change

Since the 1960s, Canada has moved from about 30 climate-related disasters a decade to more than 100

President and founder of Save A Dog Network, Katie Powell gets a kiss from a dog after bringing bags of dog food by canoe to stranded homes during flooding in Peguis First Nation, Man., Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Dozens of experts advising the government on the best way to adapt to the reality of climate change say we need to do more to prepare infrastructure for the threats of extreme weather and get faster to help Canadians recover when their lives and livelihoods are threatened by floods, fires and major storms.THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
Armstrong residents are being encouraged to protect their properties from potential spring flooding during the 2022 spring freshet season. (City of Armstrong photo)

Armstrong residents reminded to prepare for flooding with spring freshets delayed

Freshet-induced flooding could still be on the way as temperatures have been cooler than usual

Armstrong residents are being encouraged to protect their properties from potential spring flooding during the 2022 spring freshet season. (City of Armstrong photo)
The Okanagan Indian Band has activated its emergency operations centre as spring freshet increases the risk of flooding in the community. (OKIB photo)

Spring freshets trigger Okanagan Indian Band’s emergency operations centre

The band activated its EOC Friday due to increased risk of flooding

The Okanagan Indian Band has activated its emergency operations centre as spring freshet increases the risk of flooding in the community. (OKIB photo)
B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness Jennifer Rice. (Norman Galimski/Black Press)

B.C. rolls out emergency preparedness funds for First Nations and municipalities

Funding will go toward capacity building for emergency support in those communities

B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness Jennifer Rice. (Norman Galimski/Black Press)
The City of Vernon and the Okanagan Indian Band have received provincial funding to improve their emergency support services in the event of a disaster, such as last summer’s White Rock Lake wildfire which destroyed a number of structures in the OKIB community along Westside Road. (Terry Lawson/Facebook)

Emergency preparedness funding earmarked for Vernon, OKIB

Both communities receiving $25K from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund

The City of Vernon and the Okanagan Indian Band have received provincial funding to improve their emergency support services in the event of a disaster, such as last summer’s White Rock Lake wildfire which destroyed a number of structures in the OKIB community along Westside Road. (Terry Lawson/Facebook)
Volunteers build a wall of sandbags to keep the rising Vernon Creek from flooding the Kindale Seaton Centre in Vernon in 2017. The City of Vernon is encouraging residents recognize Emergency Preparedness Week May 1-7 and get their homes ready in the case of an unforeseen emergency such as flooding. (Morning Star - file photo)

City of Vernon encourages preparedness

Recognizing Emergency Preparedness Week May 1-7, city invites residents to prep for an emergency

Volunteers build a wall of sandbags to keep the rising Vernon Creek from flooding the Kindale Seaton Centre in Vernon in 2017. The City of Vernon is encouraging residents recognize Emergency Preparedness Week May 1-7 and get their homes ready in the case of an unforeseen emergency such as flooding. (Morning Star - file photo)
There were nearly 400 earthquakes recorded in Canada in the month of April 2022. (MAP COURTESY EARTHQUAKES CANADA)

400 and counting: April a busy month for earthquakes in BC

Few regions in Canada escape Earth’s shake, rattle and roll, says seismologist

There were nearly 400 earthquakes recorded in Canada in the month of April 2022. (MAP COURTESY EARTHQUAKES CANADA)
The City of Armstrong will host an information session on emergency preparedness for its residents Thursday, May 5. (Morning Star - file photo)

Record floods, heatwave, wildfires prompt Armstrong emergency talks

Community information session on emergency preparedness slated for Thursday, May 5, Centennial Hall

The City of Armstrong will host an information session on emergency preparedness for its residents Thursday, May 5. (Morning Star - file photo)
On May 6, 2017, the City of Armstrong declared a state of emergency as low lying areas experienced significant flooding due to heavy rainfall and snow melt. Temporary road closures were in effect in the downtown core and in adjacent neighbourhoods due to flooding on the roadways. (City of Armstrong photo)

Armstrong preparing for floods, fires

Emergency management planning priorities adopted by council

On May 6, 2017, the City of Armstrong declared a state of emergency as low lying areas experienced significant flooding due to heavy rainfall and snow melt. Temporary road closures were in effect in the downtown core and in adjacent neighbourhoods due to flooding on the roadways. (City of Armstrong photo)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)

14 B.C. First Nations and communities receiving funds to create new evacuation plans

Disasters in 2021 proved importance of evacuating people quickly in large-scale emergency situations

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)
Tofino’s tsunami sirens sounded off on Saturday morning as an advisory prompted beach closures. (Westerly file photo)

Tsunami advisory an important reminder for B.C. coastal communities to be prepared

Volcanic eruption near Tonga Islands activates emergency operations on Saturday

Tofino’s tsunami sirens sounded off on Saturday morning as an advisory prompted beach closures. (Westerly file photo)
Tractors are seen in a flooded field in Abbotsford, B.C., Thursday, November 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. set to use Alert Ready system when next storm strikes in days ahead

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced plans to use the system during a Sunday briefing

Tractors are seen in a flooded field in Abbotsford, B.C., Thursday, November 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward